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Date changes the date used b
y Autostar. This function is useful to check events in the past or
future. For example, set the Date menu for a day three months in the future. Then check the
"Select Item: Event" menu for the Sunset time on that date. See
EVENT MENU, page 25.
Time changes the time entered into A
utostar. Setting the correct time is critical for Autostar to
proper
ly calculate locations and events. Time may be set to 24-hour mode (military time) by
selecting the "b
lank" option which follows the "AM" and "PM" options.
Daylight Saving is used to enable or disable Daylight Savings time.
NOTE: Daylight Savings Time may be referred to by different names in various areas
of the world. Check local time to verify.
Telescope accesses the several options, including:
{ Model: Allows you to select the telescope model connected to Autostar.
{ Focal Length: Displays the focal length of the selected telescope.
{ Az Ratio and Alt Ratio: The Az (Azimuth) ratio and Alt (Altitude) ratio refers to the gears
of the telescope's motors. Do not alter these numbers.
{ Az Percent:The Az (Azimuth) Percent allows you to change the azimuth backlash, i.e., the
way the Arrow keys move the telescope along the azimuth (horizontal) axis. If you enter a
value near 100, the telescope tube responds more quickly (it responds immediately at
100%) as you hold down an Arrow key and also slews (moves) the tube more quickly. If
you enter a value near 0, it takes longer for the tube to respond as you hold down an Arrow
key and also slews the tube more slowly. Experiment with this option.Try changing the per-
cent value until you get a "feel" for the Arrow keys that is comfortable for you.
Alt Percent: The Alt (Altitude) Percent operates identical to the AZ Percent option (see
above), but allows you to change the altitude backlash, i.e., the way the Arrow keys move
the telescope when moving along the altitude (vertical) axis.
{ Train Drive: Trains the Altitude and
Azimuth motors to locate objects
with more precision.
If you are experiencing any problems
with pointing accuracy, follow the
procedure described in
APPENDIX C:
TRAINING THE DRIVE, page 40, to
insure accurate pointing and track-
ing.
{ Tracking Rate: Changes the speed
at which the telescope tracks targets
in the sky
.
a.
Sidereal: The default setting for
A
utostar; sidereal rate is the
standard r
ate at which stars
mo
v
e from East to
W
est across
the sky due to the rotation of the
Earth.
b
.
Lunar: Choose this option to
proper
ly track the Moon over
long observing sessions.
c.
Custom:
Allows entry of user-
defined tracking rates.
{ Reverse L/R: Reverses the func-
tions of the Left and Right Arrow
k
e
ys (
i.e
.
, the Right k
e
y mo
v
es the
telescope to the left
).
{ Re
ver
se UP/DO
WN:
Re
v
erses the
functions of the Up and Down Arrow
keys (
i.e., the Up key moves the tele-
scope down
).
TIPS
FOR BEGINNERS
Surf the Web
One of the most exciting resources for astronomy is
the internet.The internet is full of websites with new
images, discoveries, and the latest astronomical
information. For example, when comet Hale-Bopp
made its approach to our Sun in 1998, astronomers
around the world posted new photos daily.
You can find websites for almost any topic relating
to astronomy on the internet. Try the following key
word searches: NASA, Hubble, HST, astronomy,
Messier, satellite, nebula, black hole, variable stars,
etc.
Check out Meade’s website for the latest product
and technical information. You can download the
latest software revisions, links to other astronomical
sites, coordinates of celestial objects and the latest
satellite tr
ac
king inf
or
mation f
or your #494 AutoStar
handbo
x.
See page 30 f
or more inf
ormation. You’ll
find our website at:
http://www.meade.com/
Here are some other sites y
ou might find interesting:
• Sky & Telescope:
http://www
.skypub.com/
•
Astronomy:
http://www2.astronomy.com/astro/
•
The Starfield:
http://users.nac.net/gburke/
• Astronomy Picture of the Day:
http://antwr
p
.gsfc.nasa.goc/apod/
• Heaven’s Above (satellite observing information):
http://www.heavens-above.com/